Angels close to acquiring Kyle Kubitza from Braves

[thethe]

David O'Brien ‏@DOBrienAJC 28m28 minutes ago
Sanchez was originally signed by Lebi Ochoa, who was with the Angels then and is now a #Braves senior advisor to player development.

[thethe]

Clearly the Braves were very comfortable with this kid. I love how expansive the reach of the scouting department is now. Its such a shame it was destroyed by Wren.

[Dalyn]

Clearly the Braves were very comfortable with this kid. I love how expansive the reach of the scouting department is now. It's such a shame the front office stood by while Wren destroyed it.

[skillet]

The Yankees and Red Sox “are the heavy favorites” to sign Yoan Moncada, Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel tweets. Moncada will be eligible to sign once he receives U.S. government clearance, though when that clearance comes is a major factor in regards to New York and Boston. Neither team can spend more than $300K on any player during the 2015-16 international signing period, a penalty incurred for exceeding their 2014-15 int’l bonus pools. If Moncada isn’t cleared before June 15, the Yankees and Sox will be out of the running, as Moncada will command a bonus in the $30MM-$40MM range.

[dak]

Thoughts on trade from Fangraphs prospect analyst.

@kileymcd
3B Kyle Kubitza & LHP Ricardo Sanchez are both 45 FV on upcoming lists but Sanchez was almost a 50. Good deal for ATL system keeps improving

[MadduxFanII]

The Yankees and Red Sox “are the heavy favorites” to sign Yoan Moncada, Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel tweets. Moncada will be eligible to sign once he receives U.S. government clearance, though when that clearance comes is a major factor in regards to New York and Boston. Neither team can spend more than $300K on any player during the 2015-16 international signing period, a penalty incurred for exceeding their 2014-15 int’l bonus pools. If Moncada isn’t cleared before June 15, the Yankees and Sox will be out of the running, as Moncada will command a bonus in the $30MM-$40MM range.

So...pray for visa issues, then.

[zitothebrave]

Adore this trade, odds of Kubitza amounting to anything in the majors is very slim. If Sanchez lives up to his potential this will be a rape trade. He could flame out but who care sit's a worthwhile gamble for someone who strikes out 30% of the time.

[NinersSBChamps]

Lovely. We are now trading for children. When he turns 18 who is gonna take him to a strip club!

[Braves1976]

Lovely. We are now trading for children. When he turns 18 who is gonna take him to a strip club!

Maybe Zito as thanks that Kubitza is gone in the trade that brought him here? :)

[zitothebrave]

Maybe Zito as thanks that Kubitza is gone in the trade that brought him here? :)

I'm saving up my singles to make it rain

[tomahawkchop10]

How could anyone not like this trade? I love it.

[ramadon101]

Adore this trade, odds of Kubitza amounting to anything in the majors is very slim. If Sanchez lives up to his potential this will be a rape trade. He could flame out but who care sit's a worthwhile gamble for someone who strikes out 30% of the time.

I agree- excellent trade. Trading a high floor, low ceiling prospect at the peak of his value for a very high ceiling prospect (TINSTAAP notwithstanding) is always a good move, especially when a team is trading the short term for the long as we are.

A lefty starter who is a teenager throwing 95 with an easy, repeatable delivery and can spin a 74-75 mph plus curveball (which has a good chance at being plus plus in the future) and already has a feel for a change is the holy grail in the scouting world or damn near it-- obviously Ricardo is high risk but it came at a very absorbable price and if he pans out....

[The Chosen One]

Now trade Chris Johnson and the offseason can be almost salvaged.

At least we're acquiring good talent for the farm.

[clvclv]

The Yankees and Red Sox “are the heavy favorites” to sign Yoan Moncada, Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel tweets. Moncada will be eligible to sign once he receives U.S. government clearance, though when that clearance comes is a major factor in regards to New York and Boston. Neither team can spend more than $300K on any player during the 2015-16 international signing period, a penalty incurred for exceeding their 2014-15 int’l bonus pools. If Moncada isn’t cleared before June 15, the Yankees and Sox will be out of the running, as Moncada will command a bonus in the $30MM-$40MM range.

This is why I'm so perplexed when I see people around here doubt we're all-in on him. Does anyone seriously think giving Moncada $40 million (or substantially more if need be) is an issue? We're currently more than $12.5 million BELOW last season's opening day payroll number, and are free of Uggla's commitment after this season.

There's $25.5 million of what's needed WITHOUT another trade BEFORE spending any payroll increases that will be forthcoming.

[cajunrevenge]

I like upside so I like this trade. Is his TJ surgery already scheduled?

[sc1767]

Immediate picture is, clearly we aren't going to do a lot this year, that bed is made. In the longer term picture, we are doing okay adding arms. Pitching is where it's at, I can't complain when we add it. This kid could turn into a real asset .

[50PoundHead]

I just don't understand the point of acquiring more and more pitching when it is considerably cheaper than hitting in today's environment.

Because going into this off-season, we had next to no pitching in our minor league system.

[weso1]

lol at the Angels. Sure just go ahead and give us one of your best pitching prospects for nothing.

[Horsehide Harry]

I actually like this trade. Trade short term unlikely for long term potential. This is the kind of if you're going to be bad then be bad for a reason trade I think they should be doing.

I also hope all this time in effort spent on veteran and reclamation relievers is for the same reason. Our pen should be open for trade business should a decent deal come along as soon as the season starts. Come May and you're the Cubs, need another pen arm and want Grilli? Whatcha offer?

[clvclv]

I actually like this trade. Trade short term unlikely for long term potential. This is the kind of if you're going to be bad then be bad for a reason trade I think they should be doing.

I also hope all this time in effort spent on veteran and reclamation relievers is for the same reason. Our pen should be open for trade business should a decent deal come along as soon as the season starts. Come May and you're the Cubs, need another pen arm and want Grilli? Whatcha offer?

Grilli's bound to be on that list, but it likely expands to...

Kimbrel (if someone blows Hart away)
Minor
Gattis
Johnson (Chris)
Callaspo
Pierzynski
Johnson (Jim)
Russell
Outman

depending on the offer and the time someone's poking around.

Peterson or Gosselin could slide over to 3B, and the other one could cover 2B if they want to keep from starting Peraza's clock. Constanza, Cunningham, Terdoslavich, Hunter, or a cheap FA option could be added as the 4th or 5th OF, and Hale, Martin, Avilan, Vizcaino, Kohn, and Cunniff will be a phone call away or a cheap rotation piece that's left after the music stops (Billingsley, Chen, Correia, Maholm, Vogelsong) could be brought in. I'd still love to see us bring Adams and Janssen in on cheap one year deals with options - we'd quickly become EVERYBODY'S one-stop shop for pen help when the weather gets warm.